Judge halts Boston Globe sale

10/22/13 1:08 PM EDT

The New York Times's sale of The Boston Globe, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and the rest of the New England Media Group to Red Sox owner John Henry has been temporarily blocked by a Worcester Superior Court judge, the Telegram & Gazette reported Tuesday.

The judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday to prevent the sale from continuing because of a 2009 class action lawsuit filed against the Telegram by independent newspaper carriers who are worried the sale would prevent them from being able to collect a settlement.

With the temporary restraining order, the entire sale of the papers could be set aside in an escrow account until the class action lawsuit is completed.

According to the Telegram on Monday, the Times asked the restraining order be lifted in exchange for setting aside a sum of money that would be designated to pay for a possible future settlement. A Times spokesperson said the judge's order is the only thing blocking the sale, which was announced in August.